Tent



Sept. 5, 1933. R' SKAGERBERG 1,925,411

TENT

Filed Nov. 19. 1930 s vSheena-sheet 1 Mw l' /f ATTORNEYS.

sept; 5, 1933. R SKAGERBRG 1,925,411

TENT

Filed Nov. 19, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T lqi Z8, 25. F1 C114- A TTORNEYS.

Sept- 5, 1933- l R. sKAGERBx-:RG 1,925,411

TENT

Filed Nov. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR.

, j y @0M/.W y ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 5, 1933 iszsau" Ntra-STATES PATENT orricE Y TENT ButcherSkagerberg, Stlla'ul, Minn.

Application November 19, 1930 Serial No. 496,596 1 23 Claims.

This invention relates to tentsv and to correlated subject matter, andhas for its primary object the provision of a tent structure which iseconomical of manufacture, which can be easily set up and transported,and which furnishes an effective shelter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tent structure of thecharacter under consideration which has the maximum of sturdinesscoromensurate with the provision of a tent which can be economicallymanufactured and readily trans-V ported and set up. l

A further object is to provide a structure which gives a maximum ofshelter in relation to the total area of the material of which it iscomposed..

Another object is to provide an improved methi od of forming a tent.

Still another object is to provide an improved type of packagel wherebya tent of the character under consideration may be transported.

Other objects of the invention will in p art be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an'article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties 4 and the relation of elements 4which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of theapplication' of 'which will be indicated in the claims. j

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inAconnection with the accompanying drawings, in

which: v Y

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of tent such as contemplated bythe invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank from which the tent is formed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a slightlymodified form of blank;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a tent formed from the blank of Fig. 3;y

Fig. 5 is a view of a blank and reinforcements adapted for use in theprovision of a tent witha reinforced doorway edge; y

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the assembled blank;

Fig. ,'7 is a sectional view along the linev '7 7 of Fig. 6; y Fig. 8 isan enlarged sectional View along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a front View of a tent formed from'the' blank of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a plan View of a blank having addi# tional reinforcements;

Fig. 11 is a plan View of a slightly rnodiiiedl folded, stiff,paper-board.

form` of blank equipped with reinforcements for the doorway edges of atent;

- Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional View along the line 12-12 of Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13fis a front view of a tent formed from the blank of Fig. 11;

y Fig. 14 shows the blank of Fig. 11 rolled into a package fortransportation;

Fig. 15 shows still another modied form of blank; and n Y Figrvl is aperspective view of a tent formed from the blank of Fig. 15.

The invention primarily has in viewv the proe vision of a tent which-rnay be so economically manufactured and may be sold at so low a priceas to render available tothe general public a form of shelter forpurposes where tents of ordinary construction have found no generalutilization, as well as the provision of a form of tent which may be soreadily erected and taken down as to avoid the necessity for the user tohave any particular skill or workmanship to erect or remove the same,

and which will occupy less space in transportation than ordinary handluggage. rThese and other ends may be attained in accordance with theinlvention by the provision of a tent formedv from linoleuin, striproong materials, building' felt,

etc.

The blank from which the tent is to be formed is preferably composed ofa single sheet of material,` suitably reinforced if necessary, butitwill certain instances, of several pieces of material connected togetherin any desired manner, as for example, when scrap materials are to beutilized.

:be understood that the blank may be composed, in

It has been found that a particularly satisfactory shape of blank forthe purpose in hand is a semicircle truncated at one side, which, whengathered together about a point at the center of the imaginary circle ofwhich'the blank forms a part, provides a tent which is generally cone'spending to part of the portion of the semi-circle which hasV been cutaway. Asimilarlytruncated shaped, having an opening at one sidecorrehalf of a regular polygon will, when similarly gathered together,provide a pyramidal tent, which possesses similar characteristics. Itwill be appreciated, moreover, that in certain instances blanks whoseedge line varies from a true arc in other manners, may be utilized. Forthe sake of facility of expression the terms generally semi-circular,generally arcuate, and the like, are utilized to describe all forms ofhalf circles and modied half-circles, arcs and modirned arcs, etc.; andthe term generally coneshaped is utilized to describe structures such ascones or pyramids, or similar forms, and such terms are to be sounderstood.

A few of the many wide varieties of possible embodiments of theinvention are illustrated by way of example. There is exemplified inFig. 2 a blank 20 of suitable semi-rigid material, which, as will beseen, is shaped to conform with a semicircle truncated on a lineperpendicular to its edge-diameter and disposed some distance outwardlyfrom its perpendicular radius. When this blank is bent at the center ofthe geometric circle of which it forms a part and its right-angle corner21 moved past the diametric edge at the other side of the blank, willform va cone-shaped structure admirably adapted for use as a tent, aswill be seen from Fig. 1.' The structure there shown will beself-supporting when the corner v2l is suitably secured in place, can beeasily entered through the doorway provided between its diametric edgeand the edge at which it is truncated, and will providev satisfactoryprotection for one or more persons, dependent upon the size of theblank. In order to secure the corner 2l in place, the blank ispreferably perforated as indicated at 22 and 23, and a removablefastener 24 or other suitable fastening means, passed through theseopenings when the same are aligned. It is to be observed that the blankthus provided may be shipped flat, either alone or in quantity, or maybe rolled, and in either event will require an unusually small space. Itcan also be veryeasily formed into Va tent by a user having no knowledgeof how an ordinary tent should be securely erected.

In Fig. 3 there is exemplied a slightly modifie form of blank indicatedat 25. A. tent formedV therefrom is shown in Fig. 4. It is to beobserved that the blank 25 is truncated on a line somewhat farther fromthe center of its circle, Ywhereby there is provided a tent having agreater enclosed area and a lower doorway. 'A fold line 25 is providedat the inner edge of the folded-over corner or ap 27 of the tent tofacilitate the assembly of the tent. There are also provided along thecurved edge of the tent a plurality of openings 28 through which stakes29 may be driven into the ground. Eyelets 28 may be provided at theseopenings, and also at the fastening openings 30 and 31, for the purposeof preventing tearing of the material.

v Incertain instances, ,and particularly when the blank is formed oflight paper-board, it is found desirable to reinforce those edges of,the blank which outline the doorway of the tent when the same isassembled, as well as to provide, in certain instances, a reinforcementof the outer'edge of the flap. 'Io this end the blank may be formed inthe manner indicated in Fig. 5, wherein` the material` from which theblank isforrnedv is extended beyond theA normal straight edges of the`blank in the manner indicated at 36, 37 and 38,

V43 in the blank 35.

tent may also be provided, when desired, with reinforcing strips, suchas indicated at 39 and 4i), which may be fitted within folded portionsso as to further reinforce the edges of the blank where necessary. It isto be observed in connection with the strip 39 that this strip, as wellas the corresponding portions of the blank, is formed with openings 41through which removable fasteners 42 may be inserted on assembly so thatthe blank may be shipped or carried in the form of a roll in a mannerwhich will be more particularly brought out in connection with Fig. 14.

In the reinforcing'strip 40, there is provided a bend 4G at the pointwhere the strip 4G crosses the strip 39 in the assembly of the tent.This permits the overlapping portion to be flat against the tent wall.

There is also exemplified in connection with the blank shown in Figs. 5and 6, a recess indicated at 43, whereby the folding of the blank toform the tent is facilitated. With such a recess proided, the likelihoodof formation of a Yregular fold-line adjacent the apex of the tent,whereby the strength ofthe tent at this point may be weakened, iseliminated.

In some cases, as where the blank is made of particularly lightmaterial, it is desirable to prcvide stiffening reinforcements on itsbody. Figure 10 exemplies a blank 44 provided with a stifening strip 45,as well as with its stiiening strips 45, 47 and 48, which reinforce itsportions.

These strips may be secured in any suitable Inanner, as by gluing,stapling, clamping, for example. If openings for the reception of stakesas by means of removable fasteners, a reinforc- 'M' n ing vstrip 52.

There isl also glued, or otherwise secured, on the overlapping corner53, a flat, triangular piece of reinforcing material 54, which ticularlysubject to tearing action. The blank 50 is formed with a recess 55similar to the recess Fig. 13 shows the blank set up in the form of atent with stakes 56 extending through openings 57. It is to be observedthat the outer openings 57 extendr through the reinforcing strips. f

By removably mounting the Areinforcing piece `along the radial edge ofthe blank, it is possible beside it and the blank rolled upon thesepieces into a compact package such as indicated in Fig. 14.. Althoughthis package will require a relatively small amount of space, itnevertheless can be formed without cracking ordinary paper board.

'Ihepackage may be suitably tied in rolled posiindicated in 59 inFig.14.

Aux- Y, iliary pieces such as fasteners, stakes, etc. are laid areprovided, these may conveniently extend ...l

llc.

vserves to prevent-tearing at a point which is partion or may beenclosed inra paper covering as i In Fig. 15 there is exemplified ablankwhich" is in the form of half a regular `octagon,'trunl cated at 61and adapted to be bent along radial Vthe areas adjacent the fold lines62, 63 and 64,

and the area adjacent the edge 61 may be suitably reinforced by stripsof material as indicated.

These strips of material may be cloth, stiff paper, flexible paperboard, adhesive tape, or any other desirable material.

vided as indicated at 68, 69 and 70.

There may also be provided, if desired, a suitable floor for thetentwhich may be generally circular in shape and formed of ypaper-board,balsa wool, linoleum, or other suitable material which preferably issufficiently flexible to be rolled with the blank for transportation.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an inexpensive and readilyset-up form of tent which. requires no` poles or ropes to keep itsshape, which can be utilized as a play tent for children, a temporarysun shelter on beaches and the like, a temporary shelter for dogs, andwhich is so easily portable that it is well adapted forruse as a nightshelter on short automobile trips where there isl neither space tocarry, nor time to assemble, an ordinary type of tent. Because of itsportability and relatively light weight a tent made in accordance withthe invention is also well adapted for use by campers. A tent made ofpaper-board, for example, because of its inexpensive construction, can,when desired, be destroyed after use, or when wet, so that thedifliculties attendant to the transportation of a tent from a beach orcamp site are avoided.

`Since certain changes may be made in the above article and differentembodiments of the invention could be made without departing from thescope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or sho-wn in the accompanying drawings'shall be interpretedas illustrative andnot in a limiting sense. l It is also to beunderstood that the following claims are intended to cover all of thegeneric and specific features of the invention herein described, and allstatements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of languagemight be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, isc',y

l. A tent shaped to provide a generally conical enclosure having adoorway and comprising a single blank of material suflicientlyrigid tobe self-supporting without the use of poles and sufliciently flexible tobe spread out flat, to be gathered into tent form or to be rolled into apackage by the user, and removable means for securing the tent I inerected position, said means being disposed suiciently above the base topermit entry into said tent.

A tent comprising a self-supporting genern ally cone-shaped structureformedk of Va single l blank of material generally semi-circular inshape shape with one end out away and gathered upon Likewise, additionalreinforcements at each side of the tent may be proitself to provide theapex of the tent ata point approximating the center of a circle definingthe generally arcuate edge of the flat blank andv to provide adoorwayopening where the cutaway portion would have been, and means to securesaid blank in erected position.

4. A tent comprising Aa self-supporting blank of semi-rigid materialgenerally semi-circular in shape with one end cut away on a lineparallel to its perpendicular radiusv and gathered into tent form withthe apex of the tent at a point approximating the center ofa circledefining the generally arcuate edge of the flat blank, and with adoorway providedwhere the cutaway portion would have and means to securesaid blank in erected position,

said blank being gathered upon itself to provide a doorway one edge ofwhich is defined by a line substantially perpendicular to the lower edgeof the tent and the other edge of which is dened by a line extendingobliquely from the aforesaid line at a point considerably below the apexof the tent to the lower edge of the tent.

7. A tent comprislng'a blank of semi-rigid material generallysemi-circular in shape with one corner cut away, said blank beinggatheredinto tent form about the point where its radii converge, wherebyits truncated edge radius is disposed adjacent its other edge radius anda doorway opening is provided at thel place where the cutaway portionwould have been.

v8. A tent formed of semi-rigid material generally semi-circular inshape when laid out flat and cut away on a line parallel to Vitsperpendicular radius, a reinforcing strip secured along the edge atwhich the material is cut away, a reinforcing strip removably secured tosaid material along its radial edge a portion of which defines adoorway.

9. A tent-forming blank generally semi-circular in shape and having onecorner cut away and folded upon itself on a line adjacent the edge atwhich it is cut away, and also folded upon itself on a line adjacent itsdiametric edge whereby the blank is reinforced adjacent these edgeswhich defines the doorway of the erected tent.

10. A tent formed from a blank of semi-rigid material generallysemi-circular in shape with lone corner cut away, said blank beinggathered upon itself to form a generally coneshaped structure with adoor-way opening, and having a plurality -of holes along its generallyarcuate edge for the reception of stakes and means to secure said blankin erected position.

1l. A tent formed from a blank of semi-rigid material generally,semi-circular in shape with one corner cut away, said blank beinggathered upon itself to form a generally cone-shaped structure with adoor-way opening, and reinforcing elements extending upwardly from thelower edge of the tent, said blank being formed with a plurality ofholes along its generally arcuate edge, at least certain of said holesextending thru said reinforcing elements and means to secure said blankin erected position.

12. A tent formed from a blank of semi-rigid 150 material generallysemi-circular in shape with ing the generally arcuate edge of the flat'blank,

and having aportion of the truncated quadrant' secured in overlappingrelation to the otherY quadrant so as to provide a gen-erallycone-shaped structure having a door-way, one edge of which is defined bythediametric radius of the blank and other edge of which is defined bythe line of truncation.`

14. AV tent comprising a semi-circular blank truncated at one corner andcomposed of semirigid material, said blank being bent upon itself intoconical form with its arcuate edge dening the base of the cone, so thatits truncated edge defines one edge of a doorway, and means to se- -curesaid blank in such position.

15. A tent comprising a blank of semi-rigid material shaped tocorrespond to half of a regular poiygon with one of lits acute-angieportions out away, said blank being folded into the form of a pyramid,with the truncated edge dening one side of a doorway opening, and meansto secure said blank in such position.

16. A tent-forming blank,comprising` a generally semi-circular piece ofsemi-rigid material cutv away adjacent one cornerand adapted to begathered upon itself to form a generally coneshaped structure with adoorwayopening in the place where the cutaway portion of the semi-circlewould have been.

1'?. A'Ytent-forrning blank, comprising a piece of selfsupportingmaterial generally semi-circuw lar in shape and cut away adjacent onecorner, said piece of material being adapted to be gathered into acone-shaped structure and shaped to "fcrm,when so gathered, a doorway,one edge of which is dened by a portion of the diametrical edge of thepiece, and the other edge of which is defined by the line of cuttingaway, and elements adapted to reinforce said edges.

18. A tent comprising a generally cone-shaped structure and means forsecuring various portions of said structure and formed of material as i:

sufficiently rigid to be self-supporting without the useA of poles andsuiciently iiexible to be spread out flat, a portion of said materialbeing cutaway to provide a door.

19. A tent comprising a generally cone-shaped structure formed ofself-supporting sheet material which is sufficiently flexible to vbespread out flat, and fastening means securing the sheet material inerected position without the use of poles, said fastening means beingpositioned to permit access to said tent at a point directly above thebase.

2Q. A tent comprising a generally cone-shaped structure formed ofself-supporting sheet material, which is sufficiently flexible to bespread out at, and fastening means securing the sheet material inerected position without theuse of poles with the apex of the conesubstantially above the center of its base, said fastening means beingpositioned to permit access to said tent at a point directly above thebase.

2l. e. tent comprising a generally cone-shaped structure formed ofself-supporting sheet mate-` rial which is sufficiently flexible to bespread out at, and fastening means securing the sheet material inerected position without the use of poles, said `fastening means beingpositioned Ato permit access to said tent at point directlyabove saidbase and a portion ofV said sheet material` being cut away to provide asmall opening at the top of the structure.

lOil

` A tent comprising a generally cone-shaped structure formed ciself-supporting sheet material which is sufficiently flexible to bespread out flat, fastening means securing the sheet material lin erectedposition without the use of poles with the apex ofthe cone substantiallyabove the center of its base, said fastening means being posi-- tionedto permit access to said tent'at a point directly above said base, and agenerally circular door member of iexible material disposed at the baseof the cone.

23. A tent comprising a generally cone-shaped member and means forsecuring various portions of said structure and formed of materialsuTlciently rigid to be self-supporting without the use of poles andsufficiently flexible to be spread out flat, oneledge of said r'iaterialproviding the base and another edge' providing the side of the door.v

RUTCHER SKAGERBERG.

